Anyone who has ever cycled on a road, anywhere on Earth (except where there are no kerbs), would have had to make this decision. How far should I cycle from the kerb?
This is a contentious issue, even my cycling buddies cannot agree on it. Of course, every metre on the road is different from the last metre, and sometimes there would seem to be as many exceptions as there are rules.
I am stating down what I do. I am not suggesting that anyone follow suit. Judge what I am saying here based on your own experiences, preference, and confidence (in one’s own cycling, as well as in other road users), and decide on your own how you want to cycle.
The prescibed method of cycling on Singapore, as put out by the Traffic Police, is to on the left side of the road, as much as possible, so as not to be a hinderance to faster moving traffic.
There is a room for intepretation here, because obviously the rules do not intend that one cycles on the left as much as physically possible, like 1 cm away from the kerb, only to bump up and down on drainage holes.
I’ve put two examples the common types of kerb-side drainage used in Singapore below. These essentially mean that the left-most 20cm to 30cm are obvious no-go areas for a bicycle. You risk getting your tyre trapped in the grills of the drain cover.
So its not as far left as physically possible, so it has to be as far left as one deems safe to ride. Of course, one’s intepretation of what is safe, might be very different from that of the Traffic Police.
Most road cyclists like to cycle on the double yellow line zone of the road. My problem with this zone is that the bicycle is partially on the car lane, but not enough to force drivers to filter out to overtake the cyclist. Inevitably, drivers will try to share the lane with the cyclist, and occasionally come dangerously close.
This is a drawing of how far from the kerb I usually like to cycle. This is where I deem to be a safe distance from the left kerb, and I will explain why.
Visible By being directly in front of the cars, I force drivers to pay attention to me. I will not be mistaken for kerb-side or pavement clutter.
Force cars to overtake I am occupying 30% to 40% of the road lane, and it will be absolutely clear to drivers that they have no space to share the lane with me. They have to filter out and overtake me, or stay behind me if the traffic conditions do not allow.
Room to maneuvre I have a full bicycle-width of space on my left to maneuvre to if I need to, especially in an emergency.
Time to react The more space I am from the kerb, the more time I have to react to situations on my left. Cars opening their doors, people crossing the road, or items spilling onto the road.
Of course, I do not, and cannot always adhere to this riding position. I usually move to the left on narrow roads or in heavy slow traffic.
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